LEGEND tells that in the city of Gubbio, where St. Francis lived for some time, was a WOLF allegedly " terrifying and ferocious, who devoured men as well as animals". Francis had compassion upon the townsfolk, and went up into the hills to find the wolf. Fear of the wolf had caused many to flee the town, but the saint pressed on. When he found the wolf, he made the sign of the cross and commanded the wolf to come to him and asked him to hurt no one. Feeling the saints absence of FEAR, the wolf closed his jaws and lay down at the feet of St. Francis. "Brother Wolf I know that you do NO harm in these parts but that people say you have done great evil...", said Francis. "All these people accuse you and curse you... But brother wolf, I would like to make peace between you and the people". Then Francis led the wolf into the town, and surrounded by startled citizens made a pact between them and the wolf. Because the wolf had allegedly “done evil out of hunger”, the townsfolk were told by St. Francis to feed the wolf regularly. In this manner the town of Gubbio was freed from their fear of the WOLF. Francis even made a pact on behalf of the town dogs, that they would not bother the wolf. Francis, to show the townspeople that they would not be harmed, publically blessed the wolf.
ST. FRANCIS preached to man and beast the universal ability and duty of all creatures to praise God and the duty of men to protect and enjoy nature as both the stewards of God's creation and as creatures ourselves. Legend has it that St. Francis on his deathbed thanked his DONKEY for carrying and helping him throughout his life, and his donkey wept.